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"The therapeutic and mental health beneifts of being outside are huge for children - it's something we constantly promote."

Emma, from Ingatestone, has been left feeling overwhelmed by the support she and the playgroup have received.

But she feels it could take a very long time to find a suitable replacement site which will take longer than the three months' notice given by the council.

"We are under a lot of pressure to find somewhere," she added.

"We have a petition on our Facebook page and we would encourage everyone to do that as quickly as possible."

Emma Syndercombe is the group's founder

Emma hopes to present the petition to the council at the next meeting on February 21.

In response to the petition, a spokesman for Chelmsford City Council said: "For some years the city council has agreed that Natural Foundations could operate from Sandford Mill, temporarily using areas of the site whilst plans were drawn up to reinvigorate the whole area.

"It is with regret that the city council has advised the group that it now wishes to terminate its agreement with Natural Foundations and has asked them to find new premises by the end of May 2018."

Matt's children enjoy the sessions at Natural Foundations

The decision to evict the playgroup stems from the council's plans to reinvigorate the Sandford Mill site as a science and education centre.

Sandford Mill houses the council's large industrial collections including the Marconi Hut which can be viewed on open days.

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The council hopes to build upon the success of these open days in the future.

"The council’s vision for this centre will see an intensified use of the property that requires full control of the site and it is this requirement that has led to this decision," the spokesman added.

"Natural Foundations has been a valuable contributor to the site in recent years and the council will give every help to the group to find a new location from which to operate."